Welcome to the Watersheds Canada Resource Library!
Here you will find a comprehensive collection of free educational resources dedicated to helping rural shoreline property owners, families, municipalities, lake groups, and educators protect their lakes and restore natural habitat. Explore guides, best practices, case studies, lesson plans, and tools to become a freshwater protector. All resources are freely shareable so please include them in a newsletter, on social media, or printed for a community booth!
Funding support thanks to Peterborough K.M. Hunter Charitable Foundation, and S.M. Blair Family Foundation.
What Makes A River Healthy? webinar with Dr. Leigh McGaughey
This is a handout from our webinar, "What Makes a River "Healthy"? Engaging science, art, and storytelling to explore the health of the Upper St. Lawrence River". The Great River Rapport is a science-based project to assess the status and health of the Upper St. Lawrence River. It is a collaborative effort between The River Institute, Indigenous partners, scientists, educators, and communities. The project evaluates scientific data and shares the health of the river through stories, art, education, and community action. It aims to engage the community in ongoing conversations and take action to protect the river's health.
What is the ribbon of life, and who lives there? A Natural Edge testimonial
Blu Mackintosh has lived along the St. Lawrence River in Ontario since 1962. Here she has seen wonderful and amazing nature and wildlife and how extreme flooding and low water levels threaten the very things she loves. In this video, she explains how The Natural Edge program was the perfect fit for her property and why she hopes more shoreline property owners will follow her example.
What's your favourite river?
In this blog post, National Conservation Director Chloe Lajoie celebrates World Rivers Day by sharing her favourite river and what makes it so special to her. Hear about her close ties to the St. Lawrence river and about the changes she has been able to enact for it through our shoreline naturalization program, The Natural Edge!
What, When, and How Much to Prune
Pruning involves selectively removing parts of a tree or shrub in order to benefit the plant's growth. While it may seem counterintuitive, in reality, pruning is most often completely safe for the plant and actually benefits it by allowing it reallocate energy more effectively. Read this blog post to learn what, when, and how much to prune the woody plants on your property!
White Lake: ours to preserve webinar with Conrad Grégoire and David Overholt
This is a handout from our webinar, "White Lake - Ours to Preserve". White Lake is a spring-fed lake located in four municipalities and two counties. The White Lake Preservation Project (WLPP) aims to study and document the lake's chemistry, biology, and physical characteristics. WLPP and the White Lake Property Owners Association (WLPOA) work together to preserve and improve lake water quality. Residents can contribute to the lake's protection by participating in various programs and initiatives.
Who Can I Reach Out to for Future Projects? handout by Watersheds Canada and Greening Sacred Spaces
This document lists various organizations and contacts related to environmental projects in Canada. The organizations include Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, KAIROS, and others. The document provides information on their mission, contact details, and areas of focus. It also includes a list of environmental projects and initiatives. The document is likely a resource for individuals and organizations looking to get involved in environmental conservation efforts in Canada.
Why Soft Shorelines Are More Beneficial to your Shoreline Property
A 'soft' shoreline is one that has abundant native vegetation and few manmade structures. Research shows that soft shoreline are better for long-term shoreline health in so many ways, providing countless benefits not only for native wildlife but also for you as a property owner. Discover what makes soft shorelines superior to hard shorelines in this blog post!
Why is blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) becoming more prominent?
As blue-green algae blooms become ever more common across Canada, so too does public interest in this widely ranging issue. People are concerned about the potential impacts it can have, and about why they are appearing more and more. This blog post dives into both topics, exploring cyanobacteria in depth to help you get informed about this issue and help prevent its impacts.
Wild Ideas! webinar by Canadian Wildlife Federation and Watersheds Canada
This handout highlights the importance of spending time in nature. It lists various resources from Canadian Wildlife Federation and Watersheds Canada to encourage family fun and learning. The resources include nature-based apps, activity books, and lending libraries. The handout also mentions funding support from various foundations.